Novak Djokovic gives 2025 schedule update amid retirement talk
Novak Djokovic has once again brushed aside talk that he is ready to retire although the tennis great concedes his 2025 tournament schedule remains up in the air.
Having completed his career Golden Slam by winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August, many believe Djokovic has nothing left to prove in tennis as he has won everything there is to win in the sport and solidified his position as the greatest player of all time.
There had been suggestions that he had lost some of his motivation and could possibly walk away from the sport at the end of the current season with the great man himself confirming that he wants to spend more time with his family.
However, the 24-time Grand Slam winner insists he “still wants to keep playing”, but his calendar remains up in the air with only the Grand Slams, Davis Cup and other major tournaments like ATP Masters 1000 series likely to be part of his schedule in future.
“I don’t know what next year will bring in terms of schedule and everything. I know I still want to keep playing,” the 37-year-old said.
“I have to see where I am in my life with my body and everything, but I still have plans to keep going, like these years, prioritising the big events.”
One tournament that is likely to get the nod next year is the Shanghai Masters.
The ATP Masters event in China was absent from the calendar from 2020 to 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it returned last year.
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Djokovic, though, skipped the tournament as he opted to take an extended break after winning the 2023 US Open, but he made his Shanghai comeback last week and has enjoyed his time on and off the court.
“I would still like to make my annual trip to China, at least for one tournament, because of the incredible energy and love I feel here,” he said.
The Serbian – a four-time champion in Shanghai – added: “I always want to do really well in China, and I think my past results are a testament to how I feel here.
“I’ve always had tremendous success, both in Beijing and Shanghai. It’s definitely because of the love, respect and support I always get from the Chinese people. My connection is very deep and five years without coming to China has been a long time, so I’ll do my best to come back next year.”
